In Belgium, some pirate game sites had already found a way to get around the black list, but the coronavirus pandemic will have made the progress of even more unfair competition. Of course, the closure of physical casinos. As a result, no less than 250 non -certified platforms are now operating on the territory.
The explosion of illegal sites
In recent years, the Belgian Games of Chance Committee has endeavored to tighten its regulations in terms of accessibility, with the creation in particular of a black list identifying non -compliant sites. Not enough to discourage pirate operators, quite the contrary, since illegal online gaming sites continue to flower from studios established abroad.
Here, neither age verification, nor limits of puts generally set at 500 euros per week and per player. The game platforms are easily accessible via any search engine or social network, and the bonuses offered are numerous, something however prohibited in Belgium. In the end, it only takes a few clicks to create a false identity and to start playing by using one of the many payment methods offered, including Paysafecard and Mastercard prepaid. In 2017, it was estimated that nearly 100,000 Belgians regularly played on pirate game sites!
What legislation for games in Belgium?
It is the Games of Chance Committee that officiates on the territory and which also has a rather extensive power. For example, it is possible for him to issue warnings against illegal operators and prevent Belgian players from accessing offshore sites that do not respect the regulations in force. In cooperation with the special IT crime unit, illegal platform data is then transmitted to the associated Internet service provider who will be responsible for blocking access. With each connection attempt, a fixed page then appears on the screen with the various logos of the authorities. As for the largest files, they will be directly transmitted to the prosecutor who may possibly initiate criminal procedures against the illegal operator.
In the hope of establishing an even more reliable control, the country had finally chosen in 2011 to force operators to comply with national Belgian rules on online games Among which the obligation to domicile the server hosting the site on Belgian soil and to obtain an operating license from the Games of Chance Committee. The following year, the blacklist was created.
Black list flaws
In all, 117 Money Games Sites are registered on this famous blacklist, but it can be seen that the mechanisms supposed to block access to these platforms are easily around. In Belgium, among the 250 pirate game sites identified by the company Ladbrokes, 20 are on the black list and should therefore be completely inaccessible.
In total, according to the games committee, Belgian players would spend almost 115 million euros per year on the illegal market, compared to 463 million on certified platforms. In addition to the pirate games sites are added the physical tournaments of poker, rami-poker or pai gow poker, organized illegally within certain communities.
A trend visibly difficult to brake given the complexity of blocking illegal sites. No problem indeed on the side of large internet service providers, but some smaller suppliers generally do not bother to block access. As for the budget, carrying out permanent control is expensive and the commission is now obliged to make certain savings. As a result, one in 5 player plays today on pirate game sites in Belgium, and the final stop of the practice is far from being underway!
